Be it a national holiday, sporting event or historical anniversary, America tends to mark significant occasions rather spectacularly. So in keeping with tradition, here's the 2014 Ford Mustang GT US Air Force Thunderbirds Edition. The perfect accompaniment to your
Camaro
Hot Wheels
Ford's patriotism can't be faulted!
The first car made for the 2014 model year, the Thunderbirds Edition Mustang will be auctioned at the Gathering of Eagles event on August 1. Yeah! The charity do is part of the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh 2013, a huge celebration of all things aviation the ol' fashioned American way (loudly, we suspect). Ford sponsors the event, with all proceeds of the Mustang sale going to the EAA's Young Eagles programme, a scheme that allows American kids to experience aviation through passenger flights from a young age.
So that's the philanthropy dealt with, what about the car? Well, the Thunderbirds are the USAF's elite flight demonstration team, and 2013 marks their 60-year anniversary. And despite the paint scheme and a dubious interior overhaul, some fairly tasty mechanical tweaks have also found their way onto the Thunderbirds edition.
Fresh from the Ford Racing catalogue, it's fitted with a supercharger, 'suspension handling pack' and a Brembo brake upgrade. Ford hasn't given any specific numbers on these upgrades, only that they allow this Mustang to 'exude power, performance and class'. Does it have an afterburner though?
Plane not included, however much is bid
Moreover, even with larger rotors, the brakes are comfortably outsized by the 22-inch Forgiato rims; it's fine at the front, but look at the empty space around the rear discs! The wide-bodied Mustang features paint, logos and accents intended to evoke the look of the Thunderbirds' F-16s, a theme which continues inside. Just in case the exterior was too modest a celebration of the Thunderbirds, the cabin includes embroidered Recaro seats, new sill plates and puddle lights with an aircraft silhouette (we kid you not!). Ford has deleted the rear seats also, so there's only space for your co-pilot (sorry, passenger).
This isn't the first time Ford has created a one-off Mustang for charity either; in fact, there's been a fair few. Carroll Shelby and Jack Roush collaborated on an SR71-inspired car in 2010, plus there have been Red Tails, Blue Angels and Dearborn Doll specials too. The Thunderbirds Edition will be doing well if it surpasses the $500,000 raised by the Mustang AV8R in 2008 though. But when has America ever turned down a challenge?